Best Oils and Butters for skincare | Nourish skin naturally
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The Best Oils and Butters for Skincare: Nature’s Answer to Radiant, Resilient Skin
At Raven Botanicals, we believe skincare should feel like home.
This blog explores the incredible benefits of natural oils and butters for skincare: how they nurture, heal and protect, and why they form the backbone of our cult-favourite natural blends like Rescue Serum, Glow Illuminator, and Skin Saviour Facial Oil. The best oils and butters for skincare not only feel incredible to use but also provide a great foundation for nourishment and self care.
Table of content
The Best Oils and Butters for Skincare: Nature’s Answer to Radiant, Resilient Skin Why Oils and Butters Deserve a Place in Your Routine Key Benefits: The Best Oils and Butters for Skincare: Our Top Picks Butters That Nourish and Protect Choosing Oils and Butters for Skincare by Skin Type FAQs: Oils and Butters in Skincare Skincare That Feels Like a Ritual Frequently Asked Questions
Why Oils and Butters Deserve a Place in Your Routine
It’s easy to get lost in the noise when it comes to skincare. 10-step routines, ingredients to avoid, and the endless trial-and-error of finding products you love, that also work for you! Understanding what the best oils and butters for skincare actually are, helps cut through the confusion to find potent, plant-based nourishment to support the skin, not fight against it.
Key Benefits OF NATURAL OILS AND BUTTERS IN SKINCARE
A 2018 review in the British Journal of Dermatology found that plant oils can restore barrier function and reduce inflammation in chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne, illustrating perfectly why choosing the best oils and butters for skincare is so important for overall skin health.
- 💧 Hydration without heaviness – Many oils mimic the skin’s own sebum, making them highly absorbable
🌿 Nutrient-rich – Packed with vitamins A, C, E, and essential fatty acids
🛡 Repair and protect – Strengthen the lipid barrier, locking in moisture
↺ Improve tone and texture – Promote cellular renewal, fade marks and reduce redness
☁️ Gentle and soothing – Ideal for sensitive, mature, and stressed skin types
RESCUE SERUM
- Balances oily and breakout-prone skin without drying it out
Infused with soothing hemp seed oil to calm inflammation and reduce redness
Lightweight, nourishing formula that suits all skin types
Rich in omegas 3 & 6 to support the skin barrier
Non-comedogenic and fast-absorbing, making it the perfect base under makeup
Handmade in small batches using ethically sourced, UK-grown botanicals
Vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil free (like all our products!)
Our Ethos: UK-Grown, Ethical, and Ingredient-Led
Did you know that many of our botanical ingredients are grown right here in the UK?
Sea buckthorn from the East Lothian coastline, hemp, lavender from Fife, and plantain and nettles from our own land. We champion small producers, pollinator-friendly cultivation, and sustainability at every step.
We use the very best oils and butters for skincare that are selected for performance and efficacy. That means more nutrients for your skin, and no synthetic fillers.
The Best Oils and Butters for Skincare: Our Top Picks
Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive or combination, the best oils and butters for skincare can restore harmony and boost radiance. Here are some of our favourites!
🌿 Hemp Seed Oil
Non-comedogenic and rich in omega 3 & 6
Calms inflammation and balances oil production
Found in our calming Rescue Serum, a perfect example of effective and the best oils and butters for skincare
🌼 Sea Buckthorn Oil
High in beta-carotene and antioxidants
Speeds up skin regeneration and helps reduce scars
The star of our bestselling Skin Saviour Facial Oil, showcasing the power of the best oils and butters for skincare
🌹 Rosehip Oil
Naturally high in vitamin A (retinoic acid)
Brightens tone and reduces fine lines
Featured in our Glow Illuminator, ideal for a radiant finish using the best oils and butters for skincare
🍇 Grape Seed Oil
Lightweight, high in linoleic acid and polyphenols
Tightens and tones while protecting against free radicals
Found in our 24 Carat Cleanser, it shows the versatility of oils and butters for skincare
Butters That Nourish and Protect
Plant butters are the rich, emollient companions to oils. Ideal for nighttime rituals or dry, winter skin, they provide long-lasting hydration and protection.
Shea Butter
Softens, smooths, and boosts elasticity
Cocoa Butter
Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids
Ideal for mature skin or anyone needing barrier repair
Candelilla Wax
A vegan alternative to beeswax
Creates a breathable barrier, locking in moisture without congestion
Find in our Luxurious Lip Balms
Choosing Oils and Butters for Skincare by Skin Type
DRY OR MATURE SKIN
Try: Lunaria, Rosehip, Hemp Butter
Products: Solstice Facial Oil, Night Balm
Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Try: Hemp, Grape Seed, Jojoba
Products: 24 Carat Cleanser, Rescue Serum
Sensitive or Reactive Skin
Try: Safflower and Camellia
Products: Glow Illuminator
Combination Skin
Try: Hazelnut, Jojoba
Products: Skin Saviour Facial Oil
FAQs: Oils and Butters in Skincare
Can I use oils if I have oily skin?
Absolutely. Oils like hemp and grape seed can actually help regulate your skin’s oil production and reduce oiliness and breakouts!
Are butters too heavy for summer?
Not necessarily. Use them sparingly or in the evening to restore moisture and nourishment to the complexion. Our butter-soft Night Balm glides on and is designed to absorb easily, without leaving a greasy residue.
Will oils cause breakouts?
Only if they’re comedogenic or you have a sensitivity. We only use oils with a small molecular structure that love skin and are easily absorbed - meaning they won't clog your pores and lead to infections and breakouts.
How do I layer oils with other products?
Apply your oil as a final layer, on top of serums or hydrosols. It'll create a clever seal to keep hydration in, and give somme protection against environmental stressors too!
Skincare That Feels Like a Ritual
At the heart of everything we do is a belief in skincare as ritual. Oils and butters for skincare are a great way to care for your skin and
FEATURED IN THIS BLOG
Benefits Explained : Natural oils and butters for skincare provide deep hydration, antioxidant protection, and barrier repair, supporting all skin types from dry to acne-prone.
Ingredient Highlights : Featuring hero ingredients like hemp seed, sea buckthorn, and shea butter—each chosen for their skin-nurturing properties and used across Raven Botanicals' core range.
Tailored Rituals : The blog outlines how to choose and layer oils and butters for skincare based on your skin type, making it easy to build a mindful, effective routine.
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The Author : Arabella Harvey, Founder, Raven Botanicals
Arabella is the co-founder and creative energy behind Raven Botanicals. With a background in visual arts, Arabella works alongside sister Charlotte to blend botanical science with aesthetic integrity. Her passion for sustainability informs Raven Botanicals’ commitment to ethical, small-batch skincare that nourishes both skin and soul.